Who We Are
Mayne Island Water Systems Society (MIWSS) is a 100% volunteer non-profit Society of concerned citizens on Mayne with a mandate to facilitate, educate, and advocate on water conservation, preservation, and protection for Mayne Island.
Formed in the 1980s, as the Mayne Island Integrated Water System Society it brought together organized water systems for discussions, sharing supplies and information. It expanded membership in 2005, inviting individual well owners, groundwater organizations and members of the water industry to participate with the water districts. Early leaders include Mary Cooper and Ev McKay.
Today we are focused on supporting the individual water districts on Mayne and educating Mayne islanders about the island’s precious resource – water. We have dropped the word “integrated” from our title recognizing that each water district operates independently. However, we collaborate under the umbrella of the Mayne Island Water Systems Society.
What We Do
Workshops: for island water districts and residents to learn from each other, to work together on common issues, and to share resources where possible.
Water Operator Certification: provide sponsorships for individuals wanting to become a certified water operator. More info on the Environmental Operators Certification Program and what it takes to become an Operator can be found at www.EOCP.ca
Raising Awareness: to inform the Mayne Island community about water issues on the island, including our groundwater and the need for conservation.
Join Us
Membership is only $5.00 annually and is open to all who share concerns about the future of potable water for Mayne, be they an individual well owner, or a resident of an organized water system drawing from community wells. Contact us to join – miwatersociety@gmail.com
Board Members
President: Bill Warning
Vice-President: Robin Walsh
Treasurer: Lyn Barber
Board Members at Large: Sean Skiffington
Contact:
Annual General Meetings
Mayne Island Water Systems Society
Annual General Meeting Minutes
August 9, 2025 — 1:00 pm, Community Centre
Present:
Board: Bill Warning, Robin Walsh, Lyn Barber, Diane Plucinak, Sean Skiffington.
Attendees: Representatives from each of the water districts. Don Barthel, Sean Burkholder, Jesse Green-Sparks, Cheryl Hartman, Rob Jennings, Mike Jones, Chris Judge, Warren Korol, Robert McFarlane, Sean Skiffington, Glen Stinser, Barry Garfield, Phillipe Kruchten, Andrew Hope, Joanne Roberts, Shannon Forster, Milt Cumming, Ellen Visser, Patti Bacchus, ,Kathie Warning
Minutes: Kathie Warning
Bill welcomed the attendees and introduced the Board.
Approval of Agenda: Moved by Mike Jones that the Agenda be adopted as written, seconded by Bill Waring. Motion carried.
Approval of Minutes from 2024 Annual General Meeting: Moved by Shannon Forster, seconded by Sean Skiffington that 2024 AGM Minutes be adopted.
Business arising from the Minutes: Robin spoke about the major item coming out of 2024 AGM Minutes/Workshops being about the need to bring more new operators onboard (training) and find more support staff administrators & accounting staff for the water systems.
Treasurer’s Report: Diane Plucinak gave her report. She explained the report and expenses, and that there had been one sponsorship during the year. Moved by Ellen Visser, seconded by Chris Judge that the Treasurer’s Report be approved. Motion carried.
Chairman’s Report: Bill explained that a few operators have retired leaving a need for bringing more operators through the sponsorship program. There is also a need for more administrative staff (accounting / administrative duties – government documentation, communication to households) for the districts.
Discussion about communicating water usage to users especially in the very dry summer months. Mike Jones from Village Point System talked about the cost to bring in ‘South Island Water’(from Victoria) = $1,300 for 3700 gal of water & the company requires 2-3 weeks in advance notice. (An additional $600 fee is charged to bring in an evening delivery.)
This info shocked attendees; realization that that it’s imperative to have more water storage available at each district (especially in summer months when more people on island).
Election of Officers: Bill referred to the background of the Society – explaining that Mary Cooper (with Marie Elliot) started the Society as a “Water & Septic” organization to share info about all water/septic systems on Mayne. (Diane Plucinak, who is stepping down from the Board this year, became involved with MIIWSS shortly after start-up; Bill thanked her for her 22 years of work with the Society.
Robin explained about the change of name from MI Integrated Water Systems Society to ‘Mayne Island Water Systems Society’ and that, for branding purposes it is better to keep it simple, especially since there is no possibility of integration. The Society now focusses on water only; the new name change is making it all about our Mayne Island water. No legal name change is required. New website created and will be updated regularly.
Discussion about funding: Lyn said that the CRD no longer contributes funds that are specific to the education of water operators; Robin has spoken to Paul Brant and thinks there is still an opportunity for CRD funding & how to make it more effective. Robin will continue talks with CRD about funding.
Election: Bill called 3 times for nominees to each position currently available.
Results: Treasurer: Lyn Barber, Vice Chair: Robin Walsh, Chair: Bill Warning,
Members at Large: Sean Skiffington / Don Sinclair
Water District Reports: Updates from District: Reps available from the following water districts gave reports:
Village Point – Mike (Chair): challenging year, leaks, rotating shutoffs. 5 wells operating, 1 not. Two Operators (Corbin / Ian), new Administrator David Birch. Website info well received. Leak finding company (Pacific Leak Detectors) – extremely helpful.
Lighthouse Point – Cheryl (Chair): issue with one well; upgrading of controls (developed by Sean Skiffington), a simpler system re circulation of water thru tanks, monitor out flows/electronic tank levels; advantage that the unit will send text reports when needed. Cheryl said that this district needs admin/bk keeper; no backup operator available – part time job or share with other communities. Cheryl said that this is a weakness with all communities — lack of operators (Bill explained that an assistant to the operator, doesn’t need to be fully certified if working with a certified operator).
Georgina Point – Barry (Chair): Two active wells plus storage. Remote monitors for water usage (over 24 hours); usually 1200 gal/24 hours, summer usage: 2200 gal/24 hrs. Has used Pacific Leak Detectors & found leak. Backup needs to be in place. One boil water. Background – completely new board.
Bakerview – Rob Jennings (Chair): recently thorough inspection from VIHA – made sure standards / backups in place, and safety-emergency plan available. Jesse (their operator also contributed to the discussion.
Skana Gate – Warren Korol (Committee Member). CRD runs the system (as well as Surfside system). Currently on Stage 4 water restrictions. CRD’s program is to replace both Skana & Surfside’s tanks, as old tanks are corroding & seismic upgrading – 40 years old. CRD is considering cost at 2-3 million ($1,000 per household per year for 20 years). 50 hookups. Delegation from Skana meeting with CRD on Aug. 12. Suggestions from group – consider using black plastic tanks instead.
Mt. Parke – Rob McFarlane (Chair). 68 connections, new bookkeeper – Natasha. Currently working on 9 year plan to replace system’s piping; seems to be making a difference.. saving 20,000 gal/week. 3 tanks – 1 metal/2 plastic. 3 wells in good condition.
Campbell / Bennett Bay – Sean Skiffington (Manager) – 7 wells all working; approx..60,000 per week; 135 households (48 gal/day). Plastic tanks – manholes are required by CRD in order to clean inside of tanks. Unfortunately, the plastic tanks move in the heat – so anything connected to the tank (i.e. manholes can create leaks. They clean tanks every year.
Bennett Bay – Chris Judge (Chair) – No major issues; emphasis on water conservation to all owners. 135 connections. Plans to upgrade last stretch of watermain. Longer plans include new well and replacing tanks. Operator – Pete plus one part-time person. 60,000 gal storage, gravity fed. 3 wells – 1 has salt-water intrusion.
Laura Pt – Diane Plucinak (Chair). 17 properties – pump directly from well (don’t chlorinate); ask residents to keep to 30-50 gal/day; use of generator when hydro out.
Robin said that it is very useful that each water district have electronic maps marking the wells, pipes, valves, and meters. Michael Kilpatrick is doing this for BBWD and may be able to help create records for other districts.
MIWSS Working Groups: – Discussion and creation of working groups:
Equipment Purchases/Sharing Equipment/Storage/Renting Equipment: Where to obtain funding? (i.e. leak detection camera – $300 & a highly sensitive listening device – $10,000). Bill has a well-depth finder to share. Members: Bill Warning, Rob Noyes, Mike Barnes, Andrew Hope.
Water Operator Support: Course Sponsorship, Recruitment, Retention.
Need to think about how to create longer term vision & improve the sponsorship program & commit hours (approx. 10 hrs?) from each district for newly certified sponsored applicants. Members: Robin Walsh, Ellen Visser, Cheryl Hartman
District Administration & Board Support: banking, insurance, budgeting, bylaws, governance; professional development for staff & district board members. Possibly sharing admin staff? Also, a MIWSS mandate refresh (e.g. community education). Members: Lyn Barber, Rebecca Skiffington, Kathie Warning.
Bill thanked everyone for attending.
Meeting adjourned at 3:10 pm.
(Motion) Moved by Kathie Warning, seconded by Robin Walsh, Motion carried.
Mayne Island Water System Society
Treasurers Report
Jan. 01, 2025, thru Aug. 09, 2025
Coast Capital
Bank Balance Jan 01. 2025 $11401.20
Petty Cash $342.00
Expenses:
Society Act 2024 $ 40.00
Donation (speakers) 200.00
Meetings(food/halls) 257.15
Alea (adver) 531.30
Sponsor(Corvynn Rosser) 585.90
Chamber of Comm. 25.00
Website 484.40
TOTAL $2123.75
Balance Aug. 09/25 $9227.45
Petty Cash 342.00
Total $9569.45
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